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10 Best U.S. Cities for Urban Forests

American Forests has announced its list of the top American cities who recognize the economic, aesthetic, environmental and social value of their vegetation, and work to protect and expand their urban forests.

"Through a combination of an in-depth survey, independent data and a vote by a blue-ribbon panel of leading urban forest experts, the nonprofit [American Forests] has named the 10 best U.S. cities for urban forests: Austin, Charlotte, Denver, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New York, Portland, Sacramento, Seattle and Washington, D.C."

"The project, funded by the U.S. Forest Service, found that while many cities are working to improve their green infrastructure, top-ranked cities have made prolonged investments in the health of their urban forest, as well as benefited from active nonprofit and community participation in improving and maintaining the city’s environmental resources. Each of the top 10 cities recognized that trees don’t just provide aesthetic value, they also help in a number of other ways, including increasing property values, reducing energy costs and lowering medical costs by improving human health..."

“Our urban forests bring nature closer to the more than 80 percent of Americans now living in cities and towns. These urban havens purify the air we breathe, filter our water and provide beauty and escape for people from all walks of life,” says U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “The 10 winning cities provide a model for others to follow — the greener our urban forests, the more livable all of our cities will be.”